Librarians Like No Other (The Librarians and The Lost Lamp – A Book Review)

The Librarians and The Lost Lamp

Author: Greg Cox

Published: 2016

My Rating:

The Librarians, Jake, Cassandra, and Ezekiel, are back to solve the mystery of Aladdin’s lamp. Yes, that one. Like so many other stories this one is real and the Library could be in some serious trouble. And the Forty AKA the forty thieves of The Arabian Nights are hot on the Librarians trail. With legendary creatures, high-tail adventure, a little gambling and a flying carpet, the Librarians look to find the lamp that Flynn Carsen (The Librarian before the three arrived) lost ten years ago before a powerful Djinn can be released to seek revenge on those who wronged him.

First off,

PUNNY!

Being a major fan of the movies and the TV series, I was beyond excited to get this book. And I have to say, it does a magnificent job of following the tone of the show. The imagery was phenomenal, just like watching an episode of the show. And since the show hasn’t started the new season, this was perfect to tide me over for the time being.

The book carries each of the characters’ POV very well. I was surprised. The amount of detail didn’t feel overwhelming at all, though a little longwinded from time to time. I did feel like I learned a ton, like I always do with the Librarian(s), and I couldn’t control my geek-out. I’ve actually found myself wanting to be a Librarian. Just adding it to the list of things I want to be when I grow up. And yes, when I grow up. You only have to grow up when you want in my opinion.

The pacing was very quick, but not in the sense that the story was rushed because it most certainly was not. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat with all of the action, proving that librarians are more than just books.

Something else I enjoyed about this book, for those who’ve not seen the TV show, you are given a great overview of who the characters are, and what the Library is all about: finding magical artifacts of the world and protecting them.

With adventure, wit, and those darn one-liners, it’s easy to get hooked. I recommend this book for those who have a love or even a guilty pleasure for each of these things.

Quotables:

“If there was one thing he’d learned as the Librarian, it was to check his twenty-first-century skepticism at the door when it came to fantastic stories from bygone days.” (Flynn, p. 56)

“Trust me on this, Colonel, Luck is anything but a lady. More like a two-faced trollop who will stab you in the back and break your heart when you least expect it.” (Jenkins to Baird, p. 81)

“Didn’t anyone tell you it’s not polite to skip ahead to the end of the book?” (Shirin to Flynn, p. 147)